5. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [13976/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

Like some of the other Deputies, I raise the tenant in situ scheme. A recent motion passed by Dublin City Council, the second-largest democratic chamber in this country, asked for the previous tenant in situ scheme to be reintroduced. Not only have Dublin City Council and other councils around the country run out of funds, but there are changes in the system whereby a tenant in situ applicant must have been in receipt of HAP or RAS for two years prior to application. I am at a loss as to the public policy objective of that change. Surely, if somebody qualifies for social housing, he or she should qualify for the tenant in situ scheme. It is urgent. It is the only method of saving people from homelessness right now. I also wish to raise the commitment in the programme for Government regarding modular homes, which Deputy O'Meara raised. We need to move this on with speed. I agree with some of the previous speakers - we cannot endlessly debate these things. We need the public consultation to be dealt with and truncated as quickly as possible and to get on with the policymaking and necessary legislation to bring in exemptions so that people can start planning and looking at designs, builds and delivery for young couples who cannot otherwise acquire housing on the market.

Sentiment score: 0.15

21. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Taoiseach for an update on the work of the policing reform implementation programme office in his Department. [14726/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I ask the Taoiseach in respect of policing reform whether reducing paperwork for rank and file members of An Garda Síochána is a priority. I know from interaction with local gardaí, particularly in the Coolock district, which is the second busiest station in the country, that they are burdened with increasing levels of paperwork. Fianna Fáil has pushed over many years for the reduction of the paperwork burden on members of An Garda Síochána in stations so we can get them out onto the streets to provide a visible Garda presence, which operates as a deterrent, on one hand, and a comfort to our citizens on the other. Having listened to gardaí and having listened in to the Garda Representative Association conference last week, I am concerned we have gone backwards. We have slipped back and an increased level of paperwork is required of members of An Garda Síochána. There is a serious commitment in the programme for Government to ramp up Garda numbers, which will help, but it is no use if they are all tied up with paperwork. We need to make a big effort. While they need somewhere to base themselves, they also need the paperwork burden lifted from them. That is really important. It is proposed that a new divisional headquarters to replace Coolock Garda station, which has long outlived its usefulness and which needs to be taken out of commission, be built at Northern Cross.

Sentiment score: 0.08